Last time I spoke about listing your pros & cons whenever you are considering changing one of your behaviors, whether it’s smoking, losing weight, or starting an exercise program. I thought an example might be helpful, so here is such a list regarding following a weight loss program that includes healthier eating and exercise components. It’s very similar to the one I used after my heart attack and cardiac arrest to help me make the changes necessary to live a healthier life.
| Pros | Cons |
| I’ll probably have more energy. | I’ll have to limit what I eat. |
| I’ll look better – slimmer. | I’ll have to limit the amount of food I eat – measure my portions. |
| It will help control my blood pressure & cholesterol. | I’ll have to find time in my daily routine to exercise at least 4-5 times a week. |
| It will decrease my risk for heart disease. | I’ll have to read food labels when I shop. |
| I’ll feel proud of making such a change. | |
| It will decrease the strain on my knees. They probably won’t hurt as much. |
When I first wrote these I used “It would” instead of “It will” and “I’d” instead of”I’ll.” It may be subtle, but using “will” gives it a more positive tone, a tone of commitment. As you can see, there are more reasons to start a weight loss program than not. In addition, the value of the Pros far outweighs the inconvenience and effort represented by the Cons. In this list the Pros are greater than the Cons in quality as well as in quantity.
In my next post, I’ll talk about listing the barriers to the successful implementation of your plan along with what you’ll do to overcome them.
For Your Health – Dr. Bob